Education: Miller graduated from Lafayette High. She received a bachelor's degree in communication disorders from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a master's degree in speech language pathology from West Virginia University. She earned certifications in early childhood and gifted education from UL.

How many years have you been teaching? 11.

Biography: She has been married to her husband, Ken Miller, for 24 years. They have one son, Collin Miller, and one daughter, Elizabeth Miller. Her parents are Phil and Nancy Coghill.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

The first stop in my career was in the field of speech and language pathology. After spending a number of years enjoying my work with children in this capacity, it seemed that I was missing out on an understanding of the whole child. I felt that the early childhood setting would be a good fit for me to share my skills with the children, but to learn from them as well. The work I had seen from my mom as a teacher as well as that of my colleagues at the school where I was working also inspired me to explore the field of education. Teaching in a classroom has afforded me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the development of children and to support them in multiple ways.

What is your favorite part about being a teacher?

The best part of teaching is definitely the moment of discovery or understanding in the young children. How exciting it is to see the wonders of the world through new eyes! Watching children work their way through a challenge and finally meeting their goals is rewarding not only to the child, but to me as well.

We know teaching can be difficult and stressful. What motivates you to keep going, even in tough times?

Support from colleagues is invaluable to me when looking at difficult situations from different perspectives and in brainstorming ways to solve problems. Knowing that there are young children and families who are depending on me to help them is, of course, another significant motivator. Sometimes, simply the challenge of solving the problem is motivation enough to stay in the struggle. The excitement of finding the solution to the situation is a reward in itself.

What does it mean to you to be an LEF finalist?

Needless to say, it is quite an honor to have been chosen as a finalist! There are so many educators in our community who share their talents every day with our young people and I am glad to be a part of this group of professionals. This honor is also a call to reflect on my practice as a teacher and how I would like to continue in my professional development.

What advice would you give someone considering going into education or to a new teacher?

To an individual considering the field of education, reflect on yourself as a learner. Students need someone who will treasure the art of learning. Consider what impact you would like to make or role you would like to take in guiding other people as they learn. This can help you choose the best fit for your talents and goals since teaching is not limited to classrooms. As you work toward your education degree, be the student who you want to teach. Invest your time in honing your skills in observation, not only of educational settings, but of the development and nature of human beings in general. As a new teacher, acknowledge and appreciate your mistakes and learn from them. They will be your food for growth throughout your career. Find a mentor to look to for support. Your mentor will also have things to learn from you! Value your students as unique individuals and design the curriculum to meet their needs, not making your children fit into your curriculum. Establish your classroom as a community of learners (young and old) and enjoy the journey together. Most importantly, wonder about the world with your students.